Chapter 5 Public Humiliation

All dolled up and looking fancy, Isabel and Melanie went to the dinner party at eight o'clock that evening.

Countless luxury cars were parked outside the club. Every guest here was rich and noble except for Melanie whose family was bankrupt.

Although a lot of time had passed and things had changed in Chanvale, big events stayed imprinted in the minds of the people. All they needed was a little reminder.

As soon as they walked into the banquet hall, Isabel pointed at a tall and broad figure not too far away and whispered, "That's Matthew Collins. Are you going to talk to him now? I advise that you think twice before you act. Matthew is the coldest man I know."

At this moment, Matthew was standing in the spotlight with his back to them. Many gorgeous women were standing around him like he was some king.

Melanie took a deep breath, stretched her lips upwards, and picked up a glass of champagne. She took a swig from it and was about to walk forward when Isabel said, "Are you going to meet him like that? You'll surely fail! Can't you see the women hovering around him like vultures? They all left little to the imagination. Either their supple cleavage or thighs is exposed to draw attention."

Quickly, Isabel forced her to puff up her chest and then pulled down the neckline of Melanie's dress to reveal her cleavage even more.

This was a first for Melanie, so her ears turned red in an instant.

Isabel then encouraged her, "Trust me, he will have no choice but to look at you. Now, go."

Melanie took a deep breath to muster up the courage. She played with her hair as she walked over to Matthew, swaying her waist from side to side.

Whistles came from a couple of men who saw her walking past them. Some people also gasped and made wild guesses in their minds.

"Whew! That hot chick looks very familiar."

"I think I have seen her before. Oh... I remember now! She's the heiress of the Scott family. Scott Group went bankrupt three years ago."

"What? The crisis that rocked that company back then was nothing like I'd ever seen. Didn't her father, Moshe Scott, commit suicide when he couldn't take the pressure anymore? I heard that his blood and brains were splattered all over on the ground after he jumped from that building."

"True. Later, I also heard that she was driven out of the house by her stepmother and her stepsister. The poor girl was left with nothing to her name."

"Left with no reputation or wealth, she went off the radar for years. Why did she show up at a gathering of elites? Does she think she's still the pampered heiress from three years ago? Who's going to wake her up?"

The noisy comments from all ends didn't make Melanie falter. Her back remained straight and her head was held up.

These people told no lies. However, that wasn't going to stop her from getting closer to the man she had her eyes on tonight.

Under the dazzling light, Matthew suddenly spun around with a glass of champagne in his hand. His cold eyes fell on the face of the woman who was walking over to him.

"Evening, Mr. Collins. I'm Melanie Scott. Nice to meet you."

Melanie extended her hand with a smile. However, under the gossipy stares, he glanced at her hand and took a sip of his champagne with his other hand in his pocket. He acted as if no one was before him.

Melanie didn't take offense. Her smile remained as she continued gently, "Earlier today, I saw an interview where you spoke about your intentions for the houses on Blue Road. My father's villa is actually on that road. I was wondering if you could-"

Suddenly, her speech was cut off as Matthew turned around and took a step away from her with his hand still in his pocket.

"Mr. Collins, I know you are a busy man, but can you spare me just five minutes?" the unrelenting Melanie called out behind him.

The light shone on Matthew's side profile as he looked over his shoulder at Melanie. "And why should I waste five minutes of my precious time on you?"

Snickers came from the crowd. Most of the guests were waiting for Melanie to make a fool of herself.

Although her heart was pounding, Melanie still smiled calmly. She bit her rosy lips as she walked up to Matthew. With her slender hands wrapped around his neck, she whispered amorously, "If you like, I could blow your mind for the entire night."

Melanie hated throwing herself at any man, let alone putting her body up for sale just to get one's attention. She felt sick to her stomach now that she had to use it as her trump card.

A strange glint flickered in Matthew's eyes as he turned and looked down at her beautiful face. "Miss Scott, have we met before? It seems we have."

Matthew guessed that Melanie had bumped into his car on purpose that rainy night three years ago.

Melanie frowned in puzzlement. He pulled her hands off his neck at this time.

Unwilling to back down, she went after him. He deliberately halted, causing her to bump her nose into his strong broad back.

She staggered back and only managed to remain standing after opening her arms wide.

"Mr. Collins, that villa means a lot to me. Please..."

Matthew spun around again, only to meet her misty and red eyes. This stopped him from getting short with her. He took two steps forward with his black shiny hand-made leather shoes. Afterward, he gently pulled up the neckline of her dress to cover her cleavage. He said calmly, "I get it that life might be hard sometimes. However, as a young lady, you should have some self-respect. Don't go about giving up your body for favors."

His tone was void of any emotion. Still, his cold aura sent a shiver down Melanie's spine.

She stood there staring at Matthew's back as he did another U-turn. Mocking comments were directed at her at this time.

"I knew it. How can Mr. Collins take interest in someone like her?"

"That's right. I heard that Mr. Collins turned down the advances of a drop-dead gorgeous star last month. How can he go for a beggar like her? Humph!"

Isabel, who was helping herself to some finger foods from the snack table, saw that the situation wasn't looking good for Melanie. She dumped her plate and walked over to her friend. Then, they went out of the hall arm-in-arm.

Isabel patted her chest and said, "Take a deep breath. Don't let their words get to you. You approached Matthew just so he wouldn't demolish your family home, didn't you? You know what? Leave it to me. I'll handle it."

Melanie fought back tears and said in a croaky voice, "I'm fine, Isabel. Their words didn't get to me at all. I'm just worried that I won't be able to change Matthew's mind before the demolition next week."

Isabel nudged Melanie with her shoulder. "There's still hope. Who knows, Matthew might just decide not to demolish your family's villa at the last minute.

"Please can we drop the topic now? By the way, what company did you want to refer me to for a job?" Melanie said.

Isabel blinked at her cheekily. "The design department of Collins Group."